Zimbabwe's opposition MDC withdrew a court challenge against President Robert Mugabe's re-election through a vote the party had denounced as fraudulent, saying on Friday it would not get a fair hearing.

Security agents say suspected Islamic militants have gunned down 44 people praying at a mosque in northeast Nigeria. The killings took place during dawn prayers on Sunday morning, although news only emerged on Monday.

The Malian army says it is investigating allegations that soldiers have carried out summary executions in the Islamist-controlled north. A senior military officer told the BBC it was neither confirming nor denying such acts had taken place.

The aid effort to help over 147,000 Malian refugees could be overwhelmed as conflict escalates, unless there is a significant shift in the way aid operations are carried out, international agency Oxfam has warned.